Pepsi donation expands wireless Internet access on Manoa campus

Wi-Fi Day April 1 celebrates availability of wireless access at Campus Center

The University of Hawaii Information Technology Services (ITS) today announced a $70,000 grant from The Pepsi Bottling Group (NYSE:PBG), which will help bring "Wi-Fi" (Wireless Fidelity), technology to the University of Hawaii at Manoa Campus Center. The grant is also earmarked to assist with the construction of a new technology center at UH that will provide technical support for the UH community.

In celebration of the availability of Wi-Fi capability at Campus Center, the university is presenting the first of several "Wi-Fi Days" at the Manoa Campus Center Tuesday, April 1 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. There will be demonstrations of wireless devices and applications, technical assistance from ITS, product information and giveaways from leading vendors, campus maps showing where Wi-Fi is available, drawings for wireless equipment, and free popcorn and drinks.

Wi-Fi is the term used to describe the wireless Internet access protocol based on IEEE 802.11b technology. UH-Manoa's Wi-Fi infrastructure allows students, faculty and staff to connect laptops and other mobile computing devices to UH network resources and the Internet without the use of wires, cables or fixed connections.

"The benefits of Wi-Fi access are clear, but critical mass in usage cannot take place until there is substantial coverage," said David Lassner, Chief Information Officer for UH. "The grant from Pepsi supports our ability to cover one of the most important public areas on campus." Campus Wi-Fi services are also available in the Manoa Libraries, in most of the outdoor mall areas, in most SOEST and POST classrooms, and in a number of other schools and colleges.

"UH is taking a great leap forward with this implementation," said Gary Yoshioka, Market Unit General Manager for PBG's Hawaii Market Unit. "I can think of no better way to broaden our partnership with UH than to provide students with better access to technology and university resources."

UH has one of the largest Wi-Fi networks in Hawaii. There are already more than 75 wireless access points on campus under confederated security management.

Wi-Fi Day is sponsored by the Campus Center Board, UH Information Technology Services, Pepsi, Apple, Dell, CompUSA and the University of Hawaii Bookstores.

The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc. is the world's largest manufacturer, seller and distributor of Pepsi-Cola beverages with operations in the U.S., Canada, Greece, Mexico, Russia, Spain and Turkey.